A JOYFUL COMMUNITY

DIVERSE IN SPIRITUAL BACKGROUNDS & BELIEFS

OCTOBER 3 - OCTOBER 10

IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION

Senior Pastor's Message
World Communion Sunday October 5
Blessing of the Animals October 4
New Sunday Morning Drop-In Bible Study
Oktoberfest Saturday October 4
October 18 Special Event
Adult Faith Formation Opportunities
Church Member Survey - Extended through 10/31
Community Corner
Regular Weekly Happenings

THIS WEEKEND

Blessing of the Animals - Oktoberfest -

World Communion Sunday

CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR SUNDAY'S BULLETIN

SENIOR PASTOR'S MESSAGE

Greetings Friends,

This Sunday at

10:00 a.m. in the Meetinghouse,

we celebrate World Communion Sunday,

a day when Christians around the globe gather at the Lord’s Table as one family of faith.

We invite you to bring a bread from your country of origin or ancestral home, or simply a favorite bread you enjoy, to share. During worship, these breads will be blessed and shared as part of communion. Following the service, they will become the centerpiece of our Community Hour, a time of fellowship and connection.

Come as you are, bring some bread if you are able, and experience the beauty of worship that unites us across every culture and tradition.

Grace & Peace,

Patrick

World Communion Sunday

Blessing Of The Animals

New Sunday Morning Drop-In Bible Study

Just Drop-In: A First Look at Sunday's Scripture

9:00-9:45 AM in The Lounge

Join Pastor Cydney on Sunday mornings for a drop-in time of conversation around the day’s scripture. Together we’ll explore the passage, gain context, and notice fresh insights before entering worship.

No need to prepare — just bring yourself. Come for the whole time, or even 15 minutes, and trust that God will give you something good to carry into worship and beyond.

Oktoberfest Saturday, October 4

Saturday, October 18 Special Event

Get ready for an

unforgettable evening!

We’re thrilled to invite you to A Night to Remember. A very special evening of music, joy, and community.

We can’t say too much (we don’t want to spoil the surprise!), but we can promise that this will be a one-of-a-kind event you won’t want to miss. Expect laughter, inspiration, delicious food, and a few unexpected delights along the way.

When: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Time: 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Where: First Church Meetinghouse

Details: Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served

This will be a night to gather, celebrate, and share in something truly memorable together. Bring your family and friends, everyone is welcome.

Click Here to RSVP today and be part of the surprise!

Adult Faith Formation Opportunities

COLLABORATIVE DINNER & BOOK STUDY

Join us Thursdays for a special faith formation opportunity with our friends at St. Paul's Riverside! 6 p.m. Dinner and 6:30-7:30 conversation around the book Eve Isn't Evil. Intertwining academic knowledge and candid, personal, and sometimes humorous stories, Julie Faith Parker helps readers engage biblical texts with both mind and heart--to learn the Bible's stories, explore theological ideas, question common assumptions, develop interpretive skills, and grow in their own faith.

Oct 9^th @ St. Paul's- read Ch. 6-7

Oct 16^th @ FCCOG- read Ch. 8-9. Author Julie Faith Parker to join!

Kindly purchase your own copy of the book via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book website: https://www.juliefaithparker.com/eve-isnt-evil, local bookstore, etc. An audio book is available via Spotify (free with Premium subscription).

Please sign up (for food preparation purposes only) for each session: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090845ADAA2BAAF85-58610540-eve#/

Email Pastor Cydney cydneyv@fccog.org with any questions!

Church Member Survey - Extended Through 10/31

FIRST CHURCH, YOUR CHURCH

In September, we sent out a brief member survey with opportunities to connect, serve, and grow—both in faith and in friendship. From music to caring ministries, teaching children to welcoming newcomers, community outreach and more, there’s a place here for everyone to belong. Click HERE or on the QR code to complete the survey.

- COMMUNITY CORNER -

HAPPENINGS IN OUR FIRST CHURCH BUILDING

STICK YOGA: Saturday mornings, from 10.30 - 11.30 am

FREE TRIAL CLASS for members of First Church and after that $20 per class.

Bamboo stick yoga is a captivating fun way to explore stretching, balancing, conscious breathing and coordination, using a long light (bamboo) stick. It improves spatial awareness, posture, mobility and a mind-body connection, releasing stress. Supporting flexibility, stability and ease in our bodies, appropriate for any age. Some movements come from a Qigong method.

Please bring a yoga mat, and a yoga stick. You can purchase one online (e.g. the Karma Heart Yoga Stick), or make one, or use a broomstick. The stick should be approximately as tall as you. It could also be helpful to have a blanket if you like support for your head or knees. Email teacher Herma Hale for more information: hermahale@hotmail.com

TAI CHI: Monday or Thursday (with advance sign up). All monies go directly to First Church. Please sign-in before class.

Contact Will Morrison for more information: wdmorrison@gmail.com

Classes

Monday, 9:30 - Drop-in / Fundamentals Form

Thursday, 8:30 - Drop-in / Fundamentals Form

Please confirm your attendance in advance

New joiners:

Where: 108 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. Enter the church’s parking lot from Forest Avenue and park anywhere. Please give the parents dropping off their children lots of room.
Which entrance: Enter through the door labelled Church Offices noted by the arrow. Once inside, go up the stairs immediately to your left which lead directly to the Auditorium, where we will be playing.

REGULAR WEEKLY HAPPENINGS

Bring your little ones to church -

we completely EMBRACE them.

At First Church, we believe the way we welcome children in worship directly affects the way they respond to God, to the church, and to one another.

To welcome children as they are in worship, we have our PrayGround, located in the Chapel (front right side of the Meetinghouse), where children and others of all ages can engage in worship through movement, sensory materials, and prayerful play.

The presence of all God’s children is a gift to the church, which offers hope for all. Scan the QR code to access PrayGround FAQs and Helpful Tips.

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING

Did you know that maintaining a healthy blood pressure is one key to preventing a stroke? Others include a healthy diet, regular exercise, and refraining from smoking. Learn more at heart.org or stroke.org.

Your Parish Nurse, Sue Asselin, RN is available for blood pressure screenings and health consultations following today’s worship service, in her office to the right of the Auditorium stage.

During the week, she is available by appointment. Email susana@fccog.org or call 203-637-1791 extension 821.

GET YOUR FAMILY WEEKLY CHURCH SCHOOL &

RYM (REGIONAL YOUTH MINISTRY) NEWSLETTER

Using your smartphone camera, scan the QR code here to sign up for our weekly Family Ministry newsletter. You can read about Church School, Regional Youth Ministry, and more!

FCCOG VOLUNTEER SIGNUP CENTER -

One location for all volunteer sign ups!

We have consolidated all volunteer signups for all Committees and events at FCCOG. This will help Committees fill volunteer needs and will help volunteers easily signup for projects and events of interest.

There is a link on the FCCOG website homepage titled

FCCOG VOLUNTEER SIGN UP CENTER

This link will also be publicized in every Friday e-blast and the Sunday Bulletin. You can also access the Volunteer Signup Center by scanning this QR Code. Thank you so much for the time you give volunteering for First Church!

THE RUMMAGE ROOM

The Rummage Room's store's donation hours are

Monday - Thursday 11am - 3pm.

Closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR DONATIONS

Every donation directly helps those in need.

This basket is in the Meetinghouse near the front door, and donations can be dropped to the Church Office. Most needed items include canned meat, cereal, canned fruit, canned vegetables, and shelf-stable milk.

We have a sign-up-page to read scripture, usher, or read a call to offering. All of the previous individual pages are now combined in one, with tabs at the top of the page to flip between each signup.

Simply click on each to navigate to the appropriate signup. To access that signup, click here